Motor vehicle sales surged 30% in September

Overall retail sales went up 5.5%.

A stunning 30% year-on-year increase in motor vehicle sales drove up the country’s retail sales index by 5.5% in September, data from the Department of Statistics revealed today.

Excluding motor vehicles, retail sales inched up 0.6% year-on-year in September. The total retail sales value in September 2014 was estimated at $3.1 billion, higher than the $3.0 billion in September last year.

Retail sales of medical goods & toiletries, telecommunications apparatus & computers, watches & jewellery, department stores, mini-marts & convenience stores and supermarkets rose between 1.3% and 6.9%.

In contrast, retail sales of recreational goods and furniture & household equipment declined 7.1% and 6.9% respectively. Retailers of wearing apparel & footwear also reported lower sales of 0.5% in September 2014 over September 2013.